BMW 540I vs Lexus RX300
Both cars' complete complaint records, side by side.
Read the totals carefully. NHTSA publishes no sales figures, so the car that sold more collects more complaints regardless of quality. The rows worth weighing are the proportions — the share of complaints that involved harm, and which part dominates.
| Measure | BMW 540I | Lexus RX300 |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints on file | 340 | 849 |
| Model years covered | 1994–2025 | 1998–2003 |
| Worst model year | 2018 | 1999 |
| Best model year | 1994 | 2003 |
| Crashes reported | 26 | 89 |
| Fires reported | 7 | 16 |
| Injuries reported | 14 | 51 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 |
| Most complained-about part | Engine & Cooling | Transmission & Drivetrain |
| Share of complaints involving harm | 13.8% | 18.4% |
BMW 540I by year
What breaks
Engine & Cooling
70
20.6%
Airbags
49
14.4%
Electrical System
42
12.4%
Transmission & Drivetrain
23
6.8%
Brakes
21
6.2%
Steering
17
5.0%
Seats
17
5.0%
Seat Belts
16
4.7%
Lexus RX300 by year
What breaks
Transmission & Drivetrain
441
51.9%
Engine & Cooling
92
10.8%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
66
7.8%
Airbags
37
4.4%
Brakes
36
4.2%
Electrical System
28
3.3%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
17
2.0%
Seat Belts
16
1.9%